Tobacco Control

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Tobacco Control 2007;16:127-132; doi:10.1136/tc.2006.018119
Copyright © 2007 by the BMJ Publishing Group Ltd.

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RESEARCH PAPER

Secondhand smoke levels in Scottish pubs: the effect of smoke-free legislation

Sean Semple1, Karen S Creely2, Audrey Naji2, Brian G Miller2, Jon G Ayres1

1 Department of Environmental & Occupational Medicine, University of Aberdeen, Aberdeen, UK
2 Institute of Occupational Medicine, Edinburgh, UK

Correspondence to:
Dr S Semple
Department of Environmental & Occupational Medicine, University of Aberdeen, Aberdeen, AB25 2ZP, UK; sean.semple{at}abdn.ac.uk

Objective: To compare levels of particulate matter, as a marker of secondhand smoke (SHS) levels, in pubs before and 2 months after the implementation of Scottish legislation to prohibit smoking in substantially enclosed public places.

Design: Comparison of SHS levels before and after the legislation in a random selection of 41 pubs in 2 Scottish cities.

Methods: Fine particulate matter <2.5 µm in diameter (PM2.5) was measured discreetly for 30 min in each bar on 1 or 2 visits in the 8 weeks preceding the starting date of the Smoking, Health and Social Care (Scotland) Act 2005 and then again 2 months after the ban. Repeat visits were undertaken on the same day of the week and at approximately the same time of the day.

Results: PM2.5 levels before the introduction of the legislation averaged 246 µg/m3 (range 8–902 µg/m3). The average level reduced to 20 µg/m3 (range 6–104 µg/m3) in the period after the ban. Levels of SHS were reduced in all 53 post-ban visits, with the average reduction being 86% (range 12–99%). PM2.5 concentrations in most pubs post-ban were comparable to the outside ambient air PM2.5 level.

Conclusions: This study has produced the largest dataset of pre- and post-ban SHS levels in pubs of all worldwide smoke-free legislations introduced to date. Our results show that compliance with the Smoking, Health and Social Care (Scotland) Act 2005 has been high and this has led to a marked reduction in SHS concentrations in Scottish pubs, thereby reducing both the occupational exposure of workers in the hospitality sector and that of non-smoking patrons.


Abbreviations: EPA, Environmental Protection Agency; PM2.5, particulate matter <2.5 µm in diameter; RSP, respirable suspended particulate; SHS, secondhand smoke; WHO, World Health Organization




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